Makeup For Absolute Beginners: Concealer

Concealer is one of those products that we're are not really sure if we reeeally need it or not.  The right concealer can hide just about every imperfection and give you flawless skin. Liquid concealer is especially recommended for dry skin and for concealing large areas like under-eye circles. Solid concealer is necessary to hide stubborn pimples, scars and bruises.

1. Start with a clean moisturized face.
A clean, moisturized face will allow the concealer to go on your skin smoothly and it will blend easier. If done on dry skin, your concealer make your skin look cakey and more dry.

2. Choose the right color.
Just like foundation, choosing the correct concealer can be daunting. Your best bet is to go with shade that matches your skin perfectly, of course. If you are using concealer for highlighting/contouring purposes you would want to go a shade or two lighter for your highlight and a shade or two darker for your contour.

3. Pat, Don't Rub!
I like to use my fingers when applying concealer. To me it gets in tight spaces better (under the lower lash line, around the nose) and blends a lot easier. No matter if you're using your finger or a brush, its better to pat the product into your skin rather than rubbing it.

4. Blend!
Make sure to blend the edges of the concealed area with the surrounding skin by patting on the product in a circular motion to avoid harsh lines in the finished look.

5. Use it to make brows, eye shadows and lipsticks POP!
- Applying a concealer a shade lighter to your brow bone can do wonders for your brows and overall look. It gives your brow a "wow" factor while also covering any new growth you may have.
-Your concealer can also work as an eyeshadow primer when applied to your lids (be sure to use a shade that matches your skin ), helping the shadow to pop and stay on longer.
-Adding a little concealer to your lips just before applying color will help neutralize the lips so that the lipstick color will remain true. You can also add concealer to the perimeter of your mouth get a more defined lip (works great when wearing bright colors like red and pink). 

Do you have any tips to help our beginners? What are some of your favorite concealer brands?

Makeup for Absolute Beginners | Setting Powders and Finishing Sprays

SETTING POWDER

A setting powder is a loose or compact sheer-to-medium coverage powder that “sets” your foundation so that it lasts  throughout the day. It adheres to any damp and/or sticky part of the foundation and creates somewhat of a seal. If you used a liquid foundation alone, you can usually feel a “damp” feeling on your face. You can combat this by using a loose setting powder. It can also help remove excess shine.

It’s really beneficial for us oily girls to use a setting powder so that the oils in our skin don’t break down our makeup to the point where it’s sliding and/or disappearing from our faces thus making touch-ups less frequent. It also can stop our makeup from getting all over our clothing or anything we touch throughout the day.

Translucent/Loose Powders~ provides a natural, virtually undetectable finish. In fact, you'll hardly know it's there. The fine-textured formula takes down shine without dulling and won't streak, cake or clog pores.Translucent/loose powders can be purchased in a color close to you skin tone or a white/off white color.

Pressed Powders~ also known as blotting powders provides a small amount of coverage. This powder usually comes in a compact and can be used throughout the day to control oil and shine. Pressed powder can also be used without foundation for minimal coverage.  Pressed powder are usual purchased in a color close to your skin tone. 

Face Shimmer & Glitter by Laura Mercier
Powder Foundation by M·A·C

*A little goes a long way. If your face has a "casper the friendly ghost" look or your makeup starts to look cakey or you can flat out see the powder... you probably applied too much. 

FINISHING SPRAY

Finishing sprays are usually applied by a spritzer on the face for a little 'pick-me-up'.  If you had a long day at work and don't have time to reapply for your after work festivities, a finishing spray works great. They are also perfect for the dewy look we all love. The spray is meant to resist the heat and humidity which causes smearing, melting and loss of makeup color. It is often used by make-up artists on models and actors for photo shoots and filming.

Makeup Sets by Urban Decay
SPF 15 & Above at Bloomingdale's

[I am not a reapply/touch-up girl, I don't even carry a makeup bag throughout the day. After applying my foundation in the morning I set it with MAC's Mineralized Skinfinish Natural, if I get oily I blot off excess oil with whatever I can find tissue. I use a finishing spray if I have something to do after work and don't want to reapply makeup.]

Makeup for Absolute Beginners | The Brows

Be sure to read Let's Talk Brows! first.



Brush your brows 'up and out' with a brow brush or mascara wand.



Start to define your brow with a brown pencil or powder slightly lighter than your hair color. I used MAC's Spiked.



Follow your natural arch.



Use light stokes in the direction of your natural brow to fill in the rest.



Continue to fill-in to your liking.

*Optional~ to further define your brows take a concealer (your shade or a shade lighter) {I used the same concealer that I can use on the rest of my face} and apply is as if you are applying a brow bone highlight. This will give you brow and extra "oomph". 

Makeup for Absolute Beginners | Foundations: Coverage, Finish + Shades and Undertones

[my work]

Foundation can do fabulous things to the skin. It can make your skin appear dewy, make your oily skin matte, cover blemishes, etc.  In addition to finding the right foundation for your skin type, coverage and finish are factors to consider also.

Coverage~ how much of your natural skin will show through.

Sheer coverage- gives luminosity to the skin.
Medium coverage-natural but can cover blemishes or redness.
Full coverage- will completely cover anything you would like to conceal.

Finish~ texture the foundation leaves on your skin.

Satin- dewy, luminous
Natural- perfect balance between satin and matte. Perfect for everyday.
Matte- oil controlled. No shine at all.

Shade and Undertones

This is where it can get real tricky. We've all picked up foundation that we thought were sure to be a perfect match on to find out it was all wrong. Choosing the correct shade and matching your undertones is imperative to the perfect foundation.

Undertones refer to the tones underneath your skin. Most people are yellow/golden, olive or pink/red. This is why some cosmetic companies use labels like warm/neutral/cool.  

Yellow/Golden = Warm
Olive = Neutral
Pink/Red = Cool

[Note: MAC's Neutral Cool (NC) vs Neutral Warm (NW) foundations work a little different.  For example, I have warm undertones but MAC's NC shades work best for my complexion because the cool from the NC shades neutralizes my warm undertones making the foundation appear more natural on me. Depending on your shade {see below} this theory may not work for you. I can only use this reverse theory with MAC. With other foundations like Loreal True Match, I have to stick to their warm shades. Get it?  Confusing.. I know.]

Some easy ways to determine your undertone is to (1) stand in natural light with a bare face and see which color(s) shine through your skin most or (2) look at the veins in your arm; if they appear green then your are more than likely warm, if they appear blue you are more than likely cool.

Shade refers to how light or dark your skin is. You should your match foundation on high plains of cheek to neck. A lot of us run into the issue where we may have two or three different shades on our face. You may have to use a lighter shade in the center of your face and a darker shade on the outer areas to avoid looking 'washed out'.

** I feel like this may be a little (a lot) confusing but I explained it the best I could. Remember 'if it aint broke don't fix it' and 'keep it simple'. I will try my best to answer any questions you may have.

Makeup for Absolute Beginners | Repost: Choosing The Right Foundation For Your Skin Type

I decided to repost this post because I felt it really explains what foundation is best for different skin types. I added some foundations options for each skin type to assist you find your holy grail foundation.

We all know what a headache finding the right foundation can be. Choosing the wrong foundations can lead to break outs, ashy skin, two-toned skin... just a plethora of problems. Half the battle of choosing the right foundation is choosing the foundation that right for your skin type. We all know that foundations must match your tone, the perfect amount of coverage is important but the foundation should also be work well with your skin type to ensure a flawless finish.

Oily Skin~ Oily skin is caused by over-active glands, which produce a substance called Asebum, a naturally healthy skin lubricant. When the skin produces too much sebum, it becomes thick and heavy in texture. It is prone to blackheads. The oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look.

• Pressed Powder Foundation:  Pressed powder controls shine while leaving the skin with a matte finish.
• Oil-Free Liquid Foundation: An oil free liquid foundation is great for oily skin. It can also give you a dewy look while controlling oil.
• Mineral Makeup: Offers light-medium coverage while absorbing excess oil and hydrating the skin. 

Liquid Foundation by M·A·C
Powder Foundation by Bare Escentuals

Dry Skin~ Dry skin has a low level of sebum and can be prone to sensitivity. The skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels "tight" and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied

• Cream Foundation: Cream foundation's are great for drier skin-types because they tend to be more moisturizing and lends a dewy finish to the skin. 
• Tinted Moisturizer: Tinted moisturizers offers a slight hint of color while hydrating the skin. This is perfect for achieving that "fresh faced, no-makeup" look. 

Cream Foundation by M·A·C
Face Care by Laura Mercier

Normal Skin~ If you don’t have a problem with oily skin or breakouts, and you don’t feel that your skin is dry and tight then lucky you... You have normal skin.

• Tinted Moisturizer: Tinted moisturizers offers a slight hint of color while hydrating the skin.
• Mineral Foundation: Offers light-medium coverage while absorbing excess oil and hydrating the skin.
• Liquid Foundation: Offers light-medium coverage in a variety of finishes while evening out skin tone and hydrating the skin.
• Cream Foundation: Ideal for those uneven skin tones or if you're looking for heavier coverage. 

Liquid Foundation at Nordstrom
Loose Powder by M·A·C

Combination Skin~ Combination skin is a term used to describe facial skin that shows symptoms of both dry skin and oily skin. Combination skin can be a challenge to care for effectively, as oil-decreasing products may be over-drying in certain places on the skin, while moisturizing products may cause excessive oiliness in other areas.

• Cream-Powder Foundation: Best suited for heavy coverage, cream to powder foundation controls shine in the T-zone and leaves your skin fresh and flawless.
• Liquid-Powder Foundation: This type of makeup is ideal for those looking for light-medium coverage. 

Liquid Foundation by Make Up For Ever
Face Makeup by Kevyn Aucoin

Sensitive/Acne-prone skin~ Acne prone skin is a condition that occurs due to the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. The oil that normally lubricates the skin gets trapped in blocked oil ducts and results in what we know as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads on the surface of skin. Sometimes it also includes deeper skin lesions that are called cysts.

• If you have sensitive/acne prone skin, it's best to reach for foundations with moisturizing ingredients, oil-free, paraben and fragrance free, as well as allergy tested. 
• Visit a dermatologist to find a path for healthier skin.   

Face Makeup by Urban Decay

New Series | Makeup for Absolute Beginners

If you didn't grow up playing in your mother's makeup or tearing out cool makeup looks and taping them to your bedroom walls, you're probably more than mystified on how to start or go about it. Let me preface this by saying there are no rules to makeup. You can wear as little or as much as you like. There is no right or wrong way to apply eye shadows or foundations. And women of color can wear any color we darn well please. Beauty is subjective and is in the eye of the beholder.

There are a couple things to consider before starting your new makeup regimen. Are you looking for a polished, professional image? Or are you seeking a glamorous, sexy one? Do you prefer the natural look or makeup that shows as makeup? Which features do you want to emphasize? How much time in the morning do you have to put towards applying makeup?

In this series I will give detailed posts on how start a makeup regimen based off of the products I know and use. Please keep in mind that there are tons and tons of products available and that its up to you to tailor your regimen to fit you. Take a look at some of my older posts below to get a jump start on your journey!

Face Forward: Let's Discuss Skin Care 
Choosing the Right Foundation for Your Skin Type 
Makeup Brushes 101 
Let's Talk Brows 
How to Apply Flawless Foundation 

[Photo Source]